RootsChat.Com

Scotland (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Scotland => Caithness => Topic started by: kathb on Monday 14 November 05 17:52 GMT (UK)

Title: 'Body on the Beach 1867- Caithness'
Post by: kathb on Monday 14 November 05 17:52 GMT (UK)

I have a copy of a parish death registration of 1867, showing 'body found on Brough Shore'.  There is no cause of death but on the left hand side of the registration what looks like a reference to a court -  vague transcription is:
see rec or reg of cor entr Vol I or it maybe II  P.G. and then states the date.
If this is the reference to an Inquest or Coroner how would I find the cause of death, please can anyone help?  Or it maybe recorded in the John 'O'Groats Journal or Northern Ensign, if so how do I access these records? Was she thwarted in love, did she fall or was she pushed!!!  Help would be much appreciated.
Thanks
Kath B

Title: Re: 'Body on the Beach 1867- Caithness'
Post by: runner on Tuesday 15 November 05 00:56 GMT (UK)

In Scotland all unexplained deaths are referred to the Procurator Fiscal (Like the Coroners Court down south)Once they have reviewed the case they decide what action, if any, is to be taken. Because the Registers were legal documents they could not be amended in any way so once a decision was reached, the decision, with any amendments to the Register entry was recorded in a separate Register of Corrected entries even if the original entry was correct! In those days it could well have been the Police Surgeon who actually examined the body and gave his decision to the court.
Not allowing amended entries in the Register was a development from the early Ecclesiastical Commissariot Courts back in the days when the Parish register was the only record of Birth or Marriage.
The Register of Corrected Entries is not on line but can be viewed.
Long winded explanation but Scots law can be convoluted.
Runner

Title: Re: 'Body on the Beach 1867- Caithness'
Post by: kathb on Tuesday 15 November 05 18:25 GMT (UK)

Thank you Runner, can you tell me where these records would be situated?
Kath B

Title: Re: 'Body on the Beach 1867- Caithness'
Post by: runner on Tuesday 15 November 05 22:02 GMT (UK)

Hi Kath
I think most of the records are archived with the General Register Office for Scotland.
  at gro-scotland.gov.uk
They can be viewed but for a fee (don't know yet how much)
I think it might have to be a personal visit!!
Things might change with the Freedom of Information Act but my last look on their site didn't indicate any changes on this yet
Sorry I can't give you more
Runner

Title: Re: 'Body on the Beach 1867- Caithness'
Post by: kathb on Wednesday 16 November 05 17:30 GMT (UK)

Runner, thank you very much, I will try and see how I can view these files.
Regards
Kathb